Big Idea: When the gospel is shared, it creates turning points—some receive it with joy, others resist it with hostility. But God calls us to speak truth boldly, live faithfully, and strengthen one another through it all. When Truth Meets Resistance: 1. Check your Heart for Jealousy or Pride 44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. 45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. 47 For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’” Acts 13:44-47 (NLT2) 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. 49 So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region. 50 Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. 52 And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:48-52 (NLT2) 2. Expect Opposition—and Stay Faithful The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. 3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. 6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. 7 And there they preached the Good News. Acts 14:1-7 NLT2 3. Proclaim the Message Clearly 8 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting 9 and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. 10 So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” 12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Acts 14:8-12 (NLT2) 13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles. 14 But when Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” 18 But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. Acts 14:13-18 (NLT2) 4. Strengthen One Another to Keep the Faith When Life Gets Hard 19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14:19-22 (NLT2) Who do you need to encourage & strengthen their faith? My Next Right Step: I choose to trust Jesus today as my Lord and Savior I want to be baptized as a public declaration of faith. Sign up for a small group on Church App in August TALK IT OVER Big Idea: When the gospel is shared, it creates turning points—some receive it with joy, others resist it with hostility. But God calls us to speak truth boldly, live faithfully, and strengthen one another through it all. Icebreaker: What’s one piece of advice or truth you resisted at first—but later were thankful you accepted? 1. Check your Heart for Jealousy or Pride Read Acts 13:44–52 Why do you think the Jewish leaders became jealous when the crowds gathered to hear Paul? In what ways can pride or comparison block us from receiving what God wants to do in our lives? Read James 3:16. How have you seen jealousy cause division in your life, church, or relationships? 2. Expect Opposition—But Stay Faithful Read Acts 14:1–7 What does it look like to stay faithful when others reject your faith or “poison” your reputation? Read 2 Timothy 3:12. How should we respond when opposition comes? Can you think of a time you stayed faithful through resistance or rejection? 3. Proclaim the Message Clearly Read Acts 14:8–18 What do you think Paul meant by “worthless things” in Acts 14:15? What are some modern “idols” people trust today? Read Romans 1:20. How do you see God revealing Himself even in a secular culture? How can we communicate the gospel in a clear, compelling, and humble way like Paul and Barnabas? 4. Strengthen One Another to Keep the Faith When Life Gets Hard Read Acts 14:19–28 Why do you think Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities where they were persecuted? Read Hebrews 10:24–25. What does it look like to strengthen each other in today’s world? Who has encouraged you to keep the faith during hard seasons? Who can you encourage this week? Prayer Time: Pray for boldness to share your faith even when it’s unpopular. Ask God to help you recognize any “worthless things” you're holding onto. Lift up anyone in your group who is facing opposition, discouragement, or needs spiritual strength. Action Step: Who can you encourage or strengthen in the faith this week? Text, call, or meet up with someone and share a word of encouragement.